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Submitted by Cheryl VanWormer



				JAMES AND ELECTA (LEE) BOWEN

	James Bowen was born in Orange Co., N. Y., April 2, 1820.  He was the eldest son in the 
family of Israel and Jane Bowen, who reared a family of six children,--three boys and three 
girls.  The elder Bowen was a wagon-maker and a machinist; he was an industrious mechanic and a 
native of Orange County, where he followed his trade for nearly thirty years.  He was married in 
1819, and in 1832 emigrated with his family to Oakland Co., Mich., and settled in Pontiac, where 
he followed his trade; he subsequently removed to the town of Bloomfield, where he resided twelve
years, when he came to Keene, where he died in April, 1876.
	James was a lad of twelve years at the time of his father's removal to Michigan.  His 
education was received in the log school-house of the early days.  He learned the trade of a 
carpenter and wheelwright.
	On coming to Keene he bought, in company with his brother Oliver, one hundred and sixty 
acres of land in the northwest quarter of the town, where he was the first settler.  His name is 
connected with most of the initial events in the history of Keene and he may with propriety be 
called one of the founders of the town, being the founder of District No. 5.
	In November, 1848, Mr. Bowen was married to Miss Electa A. Lee at the home of her mother 
in Keene, Elder Cornell, of Ionia, officiating.  Two children have been born to them,--Alfred L. 
and Elsie A.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Bowen are prominent members of the Baptist Church, and have done 
much to advance the religious interests of the town.  He organized the first Sabbath-school, and 
for many years was its superintendent.  He has always been an ardent friend of education, and has
done all in his power to give to others what he himself was unable to obtain.  He established the
first school in Keene, and assisted in the organization of the first school district.
	The life of Mr. Bowen, while it has been comparatively uneventful, is worthy of emulation.
He is emphatically a self-made man, and has done his part in the development of Keene, and is 
worthy of the prominent position he holds in its history.



This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" 
by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881.  Facing page 232.  Keene.